TSUTSUÈ was shot in Ghana by an all Ghanaian Crew, written and directed by Amartei Armar and produced by Yemoh Ike. World premieres at Cannes2022, and becomes the first film from sub-Saharan Africa nominated for the 75th Cannes Film Festival. It’s one of the world’s biggest film festival founded in 1946 and it has since remained one of the biggest and most respected festival in the world.
The annual film festival is held in Cannes, France, and previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Cannes2022 is expected to take place from 17 to 28 May in France.
TSUTSUÈ competed with some 3,507 short films from 140 countries before finally making into the nomination. The Ghanaian film will compete against countries like China, South Korea, Costa Rica, the United State, France, Hong Kong, Lithuania, and Nepal. https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/infos-communiques/communique/articles/2022-short-films-and-la-cinef-selections
The film features acting talents; Kirston-Acquah Elisha, David Tontie, Incoom Kwabena Victor, Gabriel Narh Addo, Mystergabby and Numo Ablorh
According to the director, “I wanted to give up during the times. The film was war and I’m so proud that we came out victorious. After many sleepless nights and two hospital trips by yours truly, I just want to extend the sincerest gratitude to the lovely cast and crew that made this possible! The success of Tsutsue’ doesn’t just belong to Yemoh Ike and myself. Through our partnership with La Luna Production in France, we were able to foster the perfect collaborative blend of extremely talented Ghanaian cast, a hard working crew and the incredibly empathetic French collaborators who worked with us in post-production and with our combined efforts, this film was born.
After a lot of digging we realized that this is a first for Ghana and possibly Sub-Saharan Africa to have a short film be represented in this particular category.”
A room; styrofoam shells from TV packages; Kente Cloth; an array of Star Wars toys with that classic 1995 “Power of the Force” Millennium Falcon; and his older brother. This was all that Amartei Armar needed to fuel his imaginations and it served to be the beginnings of his journey towards becoming a storyteller through film.
The product of a Ghanaian father and an American mother, he found topics surrounding identity, immigration, and the human need to feel a sense of belonging both utterly fascinating and conflicting having spent most of his life moving back and forth between the two countries.
Upon completing his BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia, he completed his first film “ARC” which went on to screen successfully at many international festivals. “VAGABONDS”, his first film shot in his “fatherland” Ghana, also went on to screen at several festivals around the world. It’s highest achievement, winning the Oscar Qualifying 1st Prize Award in the Short Film World Competition at the Montreal World Film Festival.
In between directing and producing various types of films, he spends his time writing stories of adventure. He is currently based in Ghana, preparing to direct his first feature length film.
This was contributed to AcheampongMagazine
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